Evaluation

Evaluations confirmed that the accessibility of the ‘virtual’ mode, the diversity and quality of projects presented on the day and the flexibility of allowing people to come and go led to a meaningful and informative day. As one participant commented:

‘Connecting statewide at a local level was great! The program offered flexibility, diversity and the ability to come and go during the day according to work commitments, which made it possible for many of us to attend. I can’t speak highly enough of this excellent initiative”.

Other Presentations

Authorised Palliative Care Plans were introduced across the state by NSW Ambulance to support paramedic decision making in meeting the needs of individual patients while respecting their palliative wishes. NSW Ambulance applies this protocol to palliative and end of life care, when an ambulance responds to a patient with an endorsed Authorised Palliative Care Plan in place.

In partnership with Alzheimer’s NSW, volunteers were recruited and trained for a structured person-centred dementia-delirium hospital volunteer program. The volunteer intervention provided one to one emotional support and practical assistance aimed at reducing delirium risk to patients with cognitive impairment. There was a trend towards reduced falls at the volunteer intervention facility. The program was highly accepted with 96% of staff and 100% of volunteers perceiving the program as having a beneficial effect on patient outcomes and should continue....

VESPA was created as a medium for centre staff and parents to easily and conveniently access video demonstrations of Speech Pathology activities. Data collected over a six month period indicated steady viewing of the resources. This model is readily adapted to other services.

Many rural and remote towns have limited access to mental health specialist services and local providers bear the responsibility for emergency mental health care. The Mental Health Emergency Care – Rural Access Program (MHEC-RAP) is a telepsychiatry program established in western NSW to provide accessible specialist emergency mental health care and is available 24 hours 7 days a week. MHEC-RAP is changing the local provision of emergency mental health care. Local providers are no longer ‘flying blind’ as this has...

Each year a one day event is held during NAIDOC week to bring communities, government and non-government, as well as health service providers together in a non-threatening way to improve and promote access to health services, especially for Aboriginal people and communities in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area.

When birthing ceased in 2011, women who gave birth outside Narrandera and returned home to Narrandera had no access to follow-up services or to a Midwife in the first two weeks after birth. Shared Care Community Midwifery engaged the support of GP Visiting Medical Officer/Obstetricians in providing antenatal clinics and support for midwives to conduct clinical review and post natal home visits. The evaluation of this model of care supports that the model is effective, safe and sustainable....

Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which has a direct impact on blood sugar levels, yet diabetic patients are not routinely referred for oral health checks. This project works with high risks groups such as the elderly, people with chronic disease and Aboriginal people. It encourages people with diabetes to make healthy choices by educating them on the importance of oral health and its impact on blood sugar levels. Following dental evaluation, treatment and education, home packages are given...

'A Cancer Journey’ booklets were developed in partnership with local Aboriginal people, Mid North Coast Local Health District, the Medicare Local, Aboriginal Medical Services, North Coast Cancer Institute, Cancer Council NSW and BreastScreen NSW. The reader is navigated from reception through treatment of Radiation and Chemotherapy, using both text and photographs of the actual units. Aboriginal people within MNCLHD are true partners in the development, use and ongoing review of this educational resource....